Quarantining and Fake ID
Liquor sales jumped by around 50% for the week ending March 21 (According to Republic National Distributing Company). Nationally, the overall increase for the week, according to Nielsen data, was a 55% spike in sales. Even Corona beer sales are up 50%, well above the overall increase in beer sales, according to Joseph V Micallef of Forbes.com.
The health and economic implications of Covid-19 are staggering. One of the tragedies of this current state of affairs is highlighted by the above statistics on alcohol sales – the increase in addiction.
The pandemic has required isolation (think quarantining) and isolation breeds addiction. Humanity’s current predicament has caused an increase in relapse, exposure, overdoses, overdose deaths and new substance addiction. Rehab.com reported a 397% increase in treatment inquiries compared to this time last year.
Here’s a snapshot of Unbound Grace in the past two days: The husband of a young family exposed his substance addiction and is now trying to revive his married and restore his health, a former alcoholic has relapsed and his wife has reached out to us on behalf, three different college-aged guys have seen their brokenness and asked for help, and we have connected with multiple parents seeking answers for their kid’s addiction struggles. Families are reeling in the confusion and brokenness of addiction – but there is hope.
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! … Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live.” Isaiah 55
KILL THE FAKE ID
It is easy to see imperfections or flaws in other people – it’s also easy to “playback the tape” of our own actions and perform an unhealthy self-autopsy. Often our inner critic beats us to the point that we have to find relief. This inner critic then promises that relief can be found in temporary escape or emotional numbing — alcohol or substance abuse.
Acceptance is a good place to start – just as God has accepted you. Everyone I mentioned above has this in common with you, you are one completely and profoundly beloved by God. This is your true identity and every other identity is a lie. To believe anything else is to deny the handiwork of God (just as Adam and Eve did in the Garden).
FIND REST IN GRACE
Sadly, the lies of our false identify never completely die. We need something greater than ourselves to take the burden of quarantining, exhaustion, loneliness, anxiety, and addiction from our shoulders. We need a true, real-life, ever-present, flesh-and-blood Peace to remove our lies, our inner critic, our loneliness and our despair. We need a Rescuer to take our burdens and carry them for us, and to give us true life. We need a Rescuer that holds our immensely heavy burdens on His perfectly broken body.
“All the fitness he requireth Is to feel your need of him. This he gives you, This he gives you, This he gives you: 'Tis the Spirit's glimmering beam” (Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy, Hart).
